Tide1 4535 Popular Post Share Posted March 17, 2025 ✠ Holy Knight Samuel Matthew of Lemon Hill sat atop the throne of New Valdev ✠ S O I T B E G I N S As rumors of war spread throughout Aevos, the war bands of Krugistan set out under the leadership of Grommash to seek the payment the people of Hyspia and Haense had promised upon them. There had been peace signed some years earlier, yet the terms agreed to were unfulfilled. As Grommash entered to challenge why his terms were not met, he was ambushed. They set upon the very same orc they had so recently made a pact with and executed the great Grommash. It was not long before the party returned, sounding the calls for a rally. The Holy Pontifical States quickly gathered their forces and marched in retaliation. War had begun. The great combined host of the Holy States—Numendil, Krugistan, Urguan, and Caurost—consolidated their forces on the territory at the edge of Haense, anticipating a significant battle on the outskirts of the desert. Yet, no one was present. In fact, scouts traversing the woodlands of Haense reported that the entirety of the crownlands lay deserted. The enemy was in hiding. It was then that the Holy Knight, Samuel Matthew, took to lead the rally, using his keen senses to sniff out where the Haeseni army was hiding. They entered the city with the aid of Dwarven Siege Ladders, climbing into Valdev. Yet even in the town, the streets had been completely deserted. No, the men of Haense did not occupy their city but had retreated to the recesses of their throne room, shuddering and remaining as quiet as mice in the hope that the allied forces would not notice them. Yet they blundered, peeking through windows such that they were seen. The holy host descended upon them with great speed, bursting into the throne room in a dauntless charge. Many of Haense attempted to flee but failed in the box they had trapped themselves in. Others tried to hold the dias, but their incompetence led to failure within a few brief moments. The schismatic Haensers were defeated, and many were captured. Their cowardly king had not been among them. Now, with the city undefeated, the Soldiers spoke to create a mark of their victory. Some posed upon the throne, while others began to interrogate the captives. However, one prize stood tall above the city; raised high over the walls of Valdev was a great statue. It was no goodly saint, no martyr of Haense’s rich history; but instead was LADY HAENSE. A great stone idol of extremist nationalism, the same spirit which motivates a people to consider it an existential threat to do penance for terrorism, the same spirit which brought the continent to war because it feared a strong spirit. Snaer of Urguan proposed they decapitate the idol and remove her flag of victory. And it was so. As the Dwarf moved to strike the head, by his cunning stonesense it took no more than three strikes of a pickaxe to remove her head. Thus Lady Haense fell, a fitting mark to the first victory to end the idolatry of Joren’s tribe. ✠ An artist’s rendition of the beheading of Lady Haense ✠ But as for the captives, they attested to the true hatred of the temple of their tribe. They said their folk had not trusted a pontiff since Cauis, confirming well that the Leaders of Haense had long conspired against the church, denying the spiritual authority of both Harrentzedek and Deunoro. The captives were nonetheless released, under the agreement they would spread the Epistles of Owyn to their fellow men of Haense, for the glory of GOD. Tiberias van Aert, Duke of Burgundy, Captain General of The Holy States 50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helldiving 5793 Share Posted March 17, 2025 Holy Knight Samuel Matthew of Lemon Hill removes his helmet, revealing then that he was in fact King Haakon of Norland all along! 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimnyaQuorum 4003 Share Posted March 17, 2025 High above, a long gone thing watched. Its gaze drew across its own little statue, a noble Lady with a raised sword, yet a missing banner. It moved a pawn forth, on a long untended to board. It mattered little - the board held nothing more than pawns to begin with. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D3F4LT 1026 Share Posted March 17, 2025 Nagorain Emberhorn read the news as he nodded approvingly"Yemekar's balance!" 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlanth 4667 Share Posted March 17, 2025 Calias Mareno congratulates Snaer on his handiwork @Mickaelhz "A vast improvement! Well done!" 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeetboy0206 1574 Share Posted March 17, 2025 A missive is posted directly underneath. "May GOD enlighten you with clarity of the mind, for yours is clouded by Iblees. There was no ambush on the Orcs, there was no intention of discussing peace terms. Hyspia was attacked, it's walls were scaled, and the attackers were fought off, two of their leaders captured, one of them executed, and the other sent home without the need for ransom out of benevolence. And it was not just Orcs. I ask you this, how can the good people of Grense and Alba and Ravenmire fight for a Church that has chosen to ally with the very same Salvian bandits that have raided and murdered across the Lowlands for the last few years? Is that holy? Is that just? Does that serve you and your people and your families and your lands?" 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingZebra267 1626 Share Posted March 17, 2025 1 hour ago, Ryfin Chany said: A missive is posted directly underneath. "May GOD enlighten you with clarity of the mind, for yours is clouded by Iblees. There was no ambush on the Orcs, there was no intention of discussing peace terms. Hyspia was attacked, it's walls were scaled, and the attackers were fought off, two of their leaders captured, one of them executed, and the other sent home without the need for ransom out of benevolence. And it was not just Orcs. I ask you this, how can the good people of Grense and Alba and Ravenmire fight for a Church that has chosen to ally with the very same Salvian bandits that have raided and murdered across the Lowlands for the last few years? Is that holy? Is that just? Does that serve you and your people and your families and your lands?" Holy Ser Vincenzo gripped the missive tightly, his expression hardening before he tore it apart, crumpling the pieces in his gauntleted hand. Without a word, he turned on his heel, making his way back toward the Temple of Ard'Karden. Upon reaching the altar, Vincenzo drew his blade, stained with the blood of the Haenseti Raevir, and with care, he wiped it clean, as if purging it of their sin. He then sheathed it falling to one knee before the altar. Holy Ser Vincenzo traced the Rhodesian Cross firmly across his chest, and began to pray aloud. "We come before You, LORD, Most Righteous and Almighty, and we give thanks for Your blessing in this Holy War. The scourge of the Haenseti Raev, who have defied You, shall soon be swept away, and the path of the righteous will rise once more. Let Your justice be done, and let the light of Your truth shine upon the these lands. Amen." 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryanark 2738 Share Posted March 17, 2025 "One of many heads we shall collect." Isleífr noted in approval. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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